The Weight of Deception
The ragged breathing and heavy sighs finally faded, leaving the two of them tangled together in the lingering aftermath, silent for a long while. Lee Han brushed a lock of hair from Han Sujin’s face and whispered into her ear.
"Sujin, could you come to the office in the evenings for the next few days?"
Still catching her breath, Han Sujin leaned into Lee Han’s embrace and replied.
"I can't do evenings..."
"I know. That’s exactly why I’m asking."
Cutting her off, Lee Han whispered softly again. His lips descended slowly to the nape of her neck, trailing kisses as gentle as a caress.
"I really shouldn't..."
Though she refused with her words, Han Sujin was already sinking into his touch. An instinctive desire to surrender her body to him bloomed within her. Her hands rose to wrap around his neck.
Lee Han’s tongue traced her collarbone, repeatedly seeking out more sensitive depths. At the sensation, a moan escaped her lips before she could stop it. At the small sound, Lee Han’s gaze deepened.
"So, you’ll come... won't you?"
With a faint smile, Lee Han pressed his lips to hers again. Contradicting her earlier protest, Han Sujin responded to the kiss with fervor. A hot, heart-pounding exchange followed.
The atmosphere, heated once more, drove them into another passionate encounter. They explored each other’s skin with fingertips and lips, falling deeper into the abyss. Their breaths and heat mingled, and a raw desire took hold of them both.
The office was soon thick with a stifling, sweltering air. Han Sujin bit her lip, her body trembling with pleasure. While a wave of regret crashed over her, she had already reached a point of no return. For a long time, they remained buried in each other’s arms, lost in the intensity of the moment.
Eventually, the sighs and moans subsided, and Lee Han and Han Sujin lay drenched in sweat, gasping for air. Han Sujin looked up at Lee Han, her body limp.
"Just this once..."
"I understand. I’ll only ask for this once."
Lee Han grinned and kissed her forehead. Han Sujin closed her eyes, leaning against him without another word. Silence descended upon the cooling office.
Han Sujin hurriedly opened the front door and stepped inside. Her husband, Park Taeyoung, who had been sitting on the living room sofa, greeted her with a bright voice.
"Oh, you're home?"
"You're already here? You finished early today."
Han Sujin spoke, her face flushed with guilt. She struggled to suppress the overwhelming sense of shame as she asked Park Taeyoung, "Did you eat dinner?"
"No, I was waiting to eat with you."
"I'm sorry. I'll get it ready right now."
As Han Sujin spoke apologetically, Park Taeyoung smiled and waved his hand dismissively.
"It's fine. But how about we eat out for a change? Let's go get something delicious."
At those words, Han Sujin wore a look of panic. Eating out? In her current state, that was impossible. She quickly scrambled for an excuse.
"I'm a bit tired today... I think it’s better if we eat at home. Let’s pick a place and go next time."
Park Taeyoung nodded, his smile never wavering.
"Sure, I understand. Take your time getting ready. There's no rush."
She wanted to hug him out of gratitude, but Han Sujin flinched and hesitated. The faint, illicit scent still clinging to her sweat-drenched body stung her senses. Her underwear felt uncomfortably damp. Between her legs, the traces of Lee Han were still lingering.
Overwhelmed by shame and guilt, Han Sujin hurried toward the kitchen.
"Wait just a moment. I'll have it ready soon."
"Take your time. I'll wait here watching TV."
Park Taeyoung remained seated deep in the sofa, his eyes fixed on the television screen with a smile. As soon as she entered the kitchen, Han Sujin leaned against the table, forcing strength into her trembling legs. Her heart felt heavy with the weight of her betrayal. She found Park Taeyoung’s casual, warm welcome both frustrating and deeply moving.
Standing before the kitchen sink, Han Sujin turned on the tap with shaking hands. She cooled her flushed face with the cold water, steadying her breath. Soon, she opened the refrigerator and began preparing dinner. Even as she tried to maintain her composure, the sensation of Lee Han’s warmth on her skin and in her lower abdomen refused to fade.
Han Sujin and Park Taeyoung sat facing each other at the table, chatting as they ate. Park Taeyoung asked with a smile.
"How was your day? Nothing out of the ordinary?"
Han Sujin hesitated for a moment before speaking carefully.
"Actually... I have to go to the management office for a bit in the evening starting tomorrow because of the women's association work."
"Is that so? Well, you have to go then. The work for our apartment's women's association is important, too."
Park Taeyoung replied readily, as if it didn't matter at all. His understanding attitude made Han Sujin feel a mix of guilt and gratitude.
"I'm sorry. Making you eat dinner alone..."
"Hey, it's fine. I think I'll have some overtime starting tomorrow anyway. Once that's finished, let's go eat something delicious."
A fresh smile remained on Park Taeyoung’s face as he said this. Han Sujin found her husband incredibly lovable, but a corner of her heart ached painfully.
"I'm sorry you're working so hard. I should be treating you better..."
Park Taeyoung shook his head, holding her hand tightly.
"You’re the one working hard. Raising the kids, doing the housework, and even the women's association work... I think you’re amazing."
At those words, Han Sujin’s eyes welled up with tears. How could she lie to a husband who cherished and loved her so much? Guilt crashed over her like a storm, but she forced herself to smile at Park Taeyoung.
After dinner, while Han Sujin was doing the dishes, Park Taeyoung approached from behind. He gently wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear.
"How about... tonight?"
Her heart hammered against her ribs. She stiffened in surprise. She couldn't possibly allow her husband to touch the body that still bore the marks of her affair with Lee Han. Barely managing to compose herself, Han Sujin replied with a smile.
"Wait just a little. I'll go wash up."
She hurried to the bathroom. Standing under the hot spray, Han Sujin scrubbed her body for a long time. She showered until her skin turned red, as if trying to scrub away Lee Han’s warmth and scent. As she dried herself, she muttered like a sigh.
'I'm sorry...'
Her mind was a mess. It was a decision made for her husband’s sake, but the guilt of having shared her body with another man weighed heavily on her. Yet, she soon entered the bedroom with a calm face.
Park Taeyoung and Han Sujin lay in each other’s arms, enjoying the afterglow. Resting her head on Park Taeyoung’s chest, Han Sujin listened to his heartbeat, sinking into a sense of comfort and happiness.
'This man... he is the only one I truly love.'
Han Sujin repeated this to herself. Whenever she was by Park Taeyoung’s side, she always felt this warmth and security. All her worries and anxieties vanished, and she felt fulfilled just by being with the one she loved.
Then, Park Taeyoung stroked her hair and whispered.
"Honey, shall we... think about having a baby now?"
For a moment, it felt as if her heart had plummeted. A baby... did she even deserve to have a child now? How could she conceive a new life while continuing her relationship with Lee Han?
"Are you... sure? I..."
Park Taeyoung cut off her hesitant murmuring.
"I hope for a pretty daughter who looks like you. She’d surely be as brave and smart as her mother."
Park Taeyoung smiled brightly as he said this. His eyes, filled with love, were fixed steadily on her. Han Sujin’s heart ached. She forced a smile and replied.
"I think I’d like a strong son who looks like you. It would be perfect if he had a heart as honest and warm as his father’s."
Looking at each other with smiles, the two slowly pressed their lips together. Park Taeyoung’s arms tightened around her waist. As their tender, affectionate kiss continued, complex thoughts swirled in Han Sujin’s mind.
'Forgive me, honey... I'm sorry I couldn't be a better wife to you. But please know that this heart of mine will never change. Don't forget that I love only you in this world...'
Tears welled in her eyes, but she held them back and hugged Park Taeyoung even tighter. She prayed desperately that a day would come when she could be free from the weight of this guilt, and that until then, this love would remain unchanged.
Feeling Park Taeyoung’s breath, Han Sujin decided to let go of other thoughts for now. She would lose herself completely in this special time with her beloved husband. They spent a hot, affectionate night, and for a while, only sweet sighs and whispers filled the bedroom.
Determined to spend this night in sweet intimacy with her husband...
Han Sujin and Lee Han had shared a hot, passionate encounter on the sofa in the management office. As their breathing slowed after reaching the peak, a slightly awkward silence fell. Han Sujin sat up and looked at Lee Han.
"You said you had work to do..."
Lee Han, still holding her, nodded slowly. Then, with a playful smile, he replied.
"This is work. For me, at least."
Sujin’s eyebrows arched instantly. She glared at him with disapproval, and he burst into laughter, quickly raising both hands.
"I'm joking, just joking."
Han Sujin didn't respond, turning her gaze away and leaning back against the sofa. Lee Han gently laid her down and stood up. He walked to the water cooler, poured a glass, and drank slowly before speaking to her.
"I need you for just a few days. I’m not asking to meet every single evening like this. It’s just... I need you right now."
There was a strange atmosphere in Lee Han’s trailing voice. He swallowed the cold water, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke again.
"I just want you to come in the evenings for these few days. After that, I will never make such an unreasonable request again."
Han Sujin lay there with her eyes closed, offering no reply. Her heart felt cold. Was Lee Han being sincere? Or was this just another one of his serpentine lies?
"...I understand."
Han Sujin’s whispered voice sounded utterly exhausted. Lee Han approached the sofa and sat beside her. Brushing the damp hair from her forehead, he looked down at her with an affectionate gaze.
Silence descended upon the conference room. Lost in their own complex thoughts, the two remained still. In the cooling heat, Han Sujin’s heart felt as heavy as a stone. She didn't know how long she could endure all of this. She simply closed her eyes, steadied her breathing, and tried to suppress the anxiety and doubt swirling in her mind.